Freemasonry in Europe and the USA: History and Modernity; РАЗВИТИЕ МАСОНСТВА В ЕВРОПЕ И США НА СОВРЕМЕННОМ ЭТАПЕ

The article examines the phenomenon of Freemasonry in Europe and the USA at the contemporary stage of its development. It emphasizes that Freemasonry primarily represents a system of moral views in allegorical form, which assumes a set of scientific and philosophical truths directed towards the spiritual component of humanity. The main locations of the Brotherhood's development in European and American contexts are highlighted. Historically, four distinct areas have formed in Europe: the British Isles, Northern Europe, Southern Europe, and Eastern Europe. The article pays particular attention to the first three due to Eastern European Freemasonry occupying a special place in the Masonic world because of the pause in the development of the Brotherhood in this region during the years when its countries were part of the global socialist system. It points out that Freemasonry in Europe is very diverse, including in terms of its density, which is highest in England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland. Notably, one feature of Freemasonry in the USA is that there is no Grand Lodge of the USA; instead, a tradition has emerged where each state has its own Grand Lodge. Regarding the challenges facing modern Freemasonry, one such challenge is the decline in membership due to increasing openness and the gradual loss of the aura of mystery. On the other hand, the remaining elements of secrecy, especially regarding initiation rituals and the names of participants, contribute to a biased attitude towards Freemasonry, suspecting it of being oppositional to authorities and of conspiracy. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.